Freelance 3D Artist Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

Hidden Variable is looking for a Senior 3D Gameplay Animator to help direct and support animation efforts for an upcoming Fighting Game. As Senior 3D Gameplay Animator, you will collaborate with the Art Director, Lead Combat Designer, and external animation partners to deliver high-quality 3D combat animations that require exacting precision. This role is ideal for someone with a track record of managing smooth, effective outsourcing pipelines to meet high technical requirements. Your insight, creativity, and attention to detail will directly shape the overall feel and player experience of our game.

This is a hybrid role, combining work-from-home time with in-office time at our brand new headquarters in Pasadena, CA. U.S. work authorization is required. This is intended as a full-time position in our Art Department.

Responsibilities

What do we expect from you on a day to day basis? Here are the essential functions of the job:

• Own the execution of the combat animations so they meet Fighting Game standards for timing, weight, responsiveness, and frame-count constraints.
• Drive quality standards and give clear, actionable feedback to our external animation partners so their work meets Fighting Game requirements.
• Partner with the Lead Combat Designer to deliver combat animation that feels satisfying, impactful, and responsive.
• Collaborate with Design and Engineering to ensure animations integrate seamlessly with gameplay mechanics, including troubleshooting any issues with implementation.
• Iterate and refine gameplay animations, incorporating playtesting and stakeholder feedback.
• Adapt and improve our animation pipeline, tools, and best practices to facilitate effective scaling as our projects progress.
• Coordinate with Production and other leads to scope out animation work, track progress, proactively identify and mitigate project risks, and support timely delivery of milestones.
• Create select combat animations when needed, including bug fixes, templates, or examples that illustrate the quality bar.

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate will reflect each of these key qualities:

• Professional - You have 5+ years of experience working in animation for games or 2+ years of experience in combat-focused / Fighting Game animation for games, with at least one shipped title. Your portfolio demonstrates strong combat or Fighting Game animations.
• Returning Champ - You have worked on a Fighting Game and can deliver high-quality combat animation within fixed frame-count limits.
• Insider - You understand Fighting Game terminology and can "talk shop" with members of the FGC.
• Rigmaster - You can oversee animation tech (rigging, weighting, interpolation, dynamics) and work with gameplay and VFX experts, riggers, and technical animators so that animations meet technical requirements.
• Artisan - You possess top-tier aesthetic sensibilities, with an unerring eye for high quality animation, including combat / Fighting Game animation and specifically 2D vs 3D differences.
• Ambassador - You have the ability to clearly communicate ideas both verbally and visually to diverse audiences, and can forge strong collaborative relationships with external art partners. You can give and receive feedback with equanimity, style, and grace.
• Wellspring - You are a fount of new ideas. You can discover solutions through rapid prototyping and are able to clearly articulate a vision to those around you.
• Bootstrapper - As a highly motivated individual, you are able to excel in a fast-paced environment, either autonomously or collaboratively.
• Technician - You are familiar with game engine platforms (preferably Unity) and are comfortable implementing assets independently.
• Precisionist - You build your work with attention to detail and visual consistency. Your output is highly organized and labeled.
• Maya Master - You have proficiency with Maya and are adept at using it effectively to iterate with other animators on their work.

BONUS FEATURES

Extras we hope to see in the most competitive candidates:

• Gamer - You are an avid Fighting Game player, and stay up to date on trends in the industry's top games.
• Mobile Wrangler - This isn't your first rodeo. In addition to having Fighting Game experience, you also have reps working on mobile games and understand art optimization best practices for mobile devices.
• F2P Mobile Fanatic - You play all of the latest, greatest F2P games on mobile.
• Unity Veteran - You have familiarity using the Unity platform specifically, and know your way around the editor and its subcomponents.
• Agile Enthusiast - You have prior exposure with Agile development practices and are no stranger to backlogs and Scrum.
• Smooth Operator - When a game launches, the work has only just begun. You have experience working alongside a live ops team, addressing the ongoing needs of players month after month.

COMPENSATION

Below is the base salary range that HVS expects to pay applicants for this role in California. Salary offered will vary depending on experience, skill, and location.

$90,000 - $120,000

THE PERKS

There are a lot of great reasons to work at Hidden Variable! Some of the highlights include:

• Unlimited PTO Policy - We offer unlimited paid time off, on top of 10 company holidays and two weeklong studio-wide breaks. We focus on results rather than hours, and we trust you to take the time you need to find the right balance between work and your personal life.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans - We offer a generous yearly stipend, and have several premium plans available from major health care providers. Already have medical coverage? Keep the stipend as an end of year bonus.
• Financial Protection - We offer a 401(k) retirement plan, short- and long-term disability, and a complimentary Life/AD&D policy. You'll also have the opportunity to add supplemental coverages (including pet insurance) if you like.
• Family Support - We offer 4 months of paid parental leave, plus an additional 90 days of fully remote work for employees returning from parental leave (on top of our usual hybrid work schedule).
• Career Growth - Developing the skills and training to advance in one's career is a shared responsibility. To that end, we frequently compensate for travel to conferences, fund tuition through online or in-person learning, and even reimburse game expenses (mobile or otherwise) to allow our teammates to maximize their full potential.
• Frequent Celebrations - We work hard, but we like to let off steam, too. You'll find us playing board games, video games, trivia, and even the occasional field trip to an escape room or other attraction around the city, all courtesy of Hidden Variable.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Hidden Variable Studios is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applications from candidates of any background who are eager to celebrate their unique perspective. We recruit, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, orientation, disability, age, military service, and other protected statuses. We believe diverse backgrounds and life experiences enable us to collectively build better and more inclusive games.

HOW TO APPLY?

Hopefully, by the time you've scrolled this far, you've realized that we value high quality products and people who are passionate about what they do for a living.

Ready to apply? Apply via Hitmarker or send us an email at art-careers@hiddenvariable.com containing the following requirements: your resume, a cover letter, and a link to your animation portfolio. Make sure to list your name and the position in the subject line.

We can't wait to hear from you!